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Thursday, 20 April 2006

Yes, three bits of news.

Firstly we are going to change venue for the land record challenge, moving from North America to south west Australia, where lake Lefroy is just too tempting to ignore. With three times the running distance of Ivanpah and only 5 days of rain per year, the chances of a successful record should be increased. There is still the issue of wind and surface condition at the time, but after trawling through many years of weather data, the probabilities of suitable wind seem very similar to Ivanpah. Click 'read more' for a more thorough location debate..

Lake lefroy is near Kambalda, about 300 miles from Perth

Secondly, we are not technically 'moving', as the current land craft will stay in north America. Instead we will be shipping our 'all new' craft that we secretly constructed at the beginning of the year. This vehicle is a very different configuration to the old craft and incorporates every thing we have learnt over the past 4 years of high speed trials.

Finally, we are making arrangements for an Ice sailing expedition in February '07 to Canyon Ferry Dam in Montana, which has some of the best speed sailing conditions in the world. Benefiting from snow protection provided by the mountains, this area often remains snow free for a large portion of the winter, which is crucial for ice sailing.

All these plans are, of course, subject to us raising the appropriate funding, but where there is a will, there is a way!

Testing of the new land craft will take place on UK runways before being shipped to Australia in mid July.

HEALTH WARNING - Technical debate that will send you to sleep if you are not a sailor.

The great location debate, again!

No matter where you are on record standby, evaluating your record venue it is a battle of two emotions;

Firstly the 'dangling carrot' approach that we are 'so close' to the record where we are and we are set up here so let's hang out for that perfect day.

On the other side, is the 'grass is always greener' and when the conditions are bad, it feels like you are a million miles away from the record and "surely there must be somewhere better"!

It is a tough call and all you can do is try to analyse the 'probability' of record conditions for each venue.

Ivanpah, has in its favor, the fact that the current record was set there meaning it is possible. However, the Bob's who hold the current record spent over 4 years campaigning the 'Iron Duck' (current record holder) in search of the perfect day.

Against Ivanpah is the short record run of just a little over two miles. Although the Iron Duck proved it is possible over this distance, in order to get the necessary acceleration, it is essential to have a high average, and steady wind along the entire length of the course. Furthermore, to get the highest peak speed you are looking for a favorable gust (or maybe just not a lull) while you are close to your top speed. Hence, the longer time you are at or near your top speed, the greater the chances of record speeds. Furthermore, acceleration at top speed is at its slowest, so for an ultimate top speed, the longer the course, the better.

Lake Lefroy, home of the Pacrim (pacific rim land sailing regatta) has a minimum run of 10 miles in a number of directions. The surface is salt, unlike Ivanpah, which is dry clay. Both surfaces have their advantages and disadvantages, which depend largely on surface water and how it dried. The general conscensus is that dirt is better on average, but when salt is good, it is as good as tarmac (considerably better than dirt).

In the end, it is a gamble, and to win gambling you must try to maximise the odds. In Windjet terms, this means maximum time on standby at BOTH lcation; Oct/Nov in Australia with the new craft and March / April at Ivanpah with the old vehicle.

Your opinions are most welcome.

So the new vehicle??? More to follow shortly.

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